Get a Glimpse into Artists’ Lives with the New Book, Artists’ Letters

Do you remember the last time you wrote or received a real pen-and-paper letter? Throughout history, letters have been an important way to connect with loved ones, friends, and colleagues, to exchange ideas, convey information, or express gratitude, sympathy, or love. Artists’ Letters: Leonardo da Vinci to David Hockney by Michael Bird (White Lion Publishing, October 2019) is a fascinating new book of letters written by artists, giving us a personal look into their lives and times.

* Complimentary book received for review. This post contains affiliate links.

Artists’ Letters contains 100 letters ranging from a 1482 letter from Leonardo da Vinci to Ludovico Sforza through a 1995 letter from Cindy Sherman to Arthur C. Danto. The letters are grouped into chapters by topic, such as Family & Friends, Artist to Artist, Professional Matters, and Love. I find myself leafing through the book and reading a few letters at a time, rather than reading it start-to-finish (although I may do that, too!).

Each letter spans two pages, with the first showing an image of the actual letter. I love this, because the letters often include drawings, sketches, or doodles. The opposite page is broken into two sections, one giving biographical or background information about the writer, and the other providing a transcription of the letter, translated into English if needed. Since I’m not familiar with many of the artists represented in the book, I found the biographical parts helpful as well as interesting.

One of my favorites is Vincent van Gogh’s letter to Paul Gaugin, which includes a sketch of van Gogh’s famous room in Arles. Another is the note written by Jules Olitski to his wife Joan Olitski, with a coffee stain that he has transformed into a portrait “thought to be of Nero, as a child.” Frida Kahlo sealed her letter to Diego Rivera with a red-lipstick kiss—so sweet! And Beatrix Potter’s get-well note to Noel Moore has drawings of Mr. Mole and Nurse Mouse offering a cup of tea. Every one of the letters brings its writer to life, some in familiar, heartwarming ways, others in a more formal or businesslike manner.

In his Introduction, Michael Bird discusses the letter-writing process, the relationship between writer and recipient, and how the letter reflects more than what is written. He states that “what the reader holds in his or her hands is a token of presence that simultaneously speaks of absence and distance. Like dinosaur bones or fragments of ancient pottery, almost any letter retrieved from the past (including our own earlier life) is laced with clues to the much larger picture that surrounds the circumstances of its making.”

I heartily recommend Artists’ Letters as a wonderful gift for anyone who enjoys art, history, or biographies. Honestly, there’s something for everyone in this book; it’s a great read, both entertaining and educational.

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Giveaway: One lucky winner is going to win a copy of Artists’ Letters, thanks to White Lion Publishing, an imprint of the Quarto Group.

Giveaway Details: This giveaway is open to residents of the US ONLY age 18 and over. Please read our Terms of Service & Disclaimer Policy before entering. This giveaway will close on December 7th, 2019 at 11:59 pm EST time. No purchase necessary to enter or win.

Disclaimer: A. Bailey received a complimentary product for review purposes & feature on The Classy Chics blog. No monetary compensation was received. A. Bailey’s thoughts, opinions and words are 100% her own. Your thoughts may differ. Please read the blog’s terms of service policy before entering any giveaways. The Classy Chics are NOT responsible for prize fulfillment or shipping of any items won from this blog. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, we may or may not make a small commission which helps to support this website. Thank you!!!